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Pyramid Valley

Benchmark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from North Canterbury
Pyramid Valley

“One of New Zealand's great vineyard sites... Stellar wines." Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

 

Pyramid Valley was founded by Mike and Claudia Weersing with a singular ambition: to create one of the New World’s great cool-climate vineyards. After years of searching, including an extended immersion in Burgundy, they discovered their ideal site among the limestone-rich hills of Waikari in North Canterbury—a landscape whose soils and aspect echoed the great vineyards that had inspired them. Over the following decades, they established Pyramid Valley as a benchmark for biodynamic farming and high-density viticulture, producing wines of remarkable purity, character, and connection to place.

 

Today, under the stewardship of Steve Smith MW (previously of Craggy Range), Brian Sheth and winemaker Huw Kinch, Pyramid Valley continues to honour the Weersings’ original vision, crafting distinctive wines that reflect the unique identity of the vineyard. With an unwavering focus on soil health, biodiversity, and minimal intervention, the estate remains one of New Zealand’s most exhilarating producers. 

 

As Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (former editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate) once said, “You may think you know New Zealand wines but I can assure you that until you have tasted Pyramid Valley, you have no idea. The results speak for themselves: astonishingly good, terroir-expressive wines that will challenge all your preconceptions.”

 

We agree, and the wines in today's offer prove the point. The flagship Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from North Canterbury are celebrated for their precision, depth and strong sense of place. Alongside them, the Sauvignon+ offers a compelling take on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with wild fermentation, skin contact and old oak bringing texture, savoury complexity and impressive length. Order now via the links below. 

The Wines

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2023

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2023

The best release yet under this label, the ’23 is 100% Sauvignon sourced from two vineyards in North Canterbury: the BioGro-certified Good Family Vineyard planted on Glasnevin Gravels, and the Fraher Vineyard planted on Omihi clay soils. Fruit from both sites is pressed as bunches before the juice ferments in tulip-shaped concrete vats and a few old barrels. This year, 8% skin fermentation and malolactic conversion naturally balance the Sauvignon’s piercing acidity while supporting its innate vibrancy. It’s a cracking release with a pulpy, multi-layered palate enlivened by mouth-watering acidity and tension. In many ways, it is the antithesis of what you might expect from a New Zealand savvy. It’s a don’t-miss for this unique wine.

“Delicate, ethereal, bone-dry sauvignon with subtle power and appealing purity. Pink grapefruit, fresh herbs and a suggestion of wildflowers add extra complexity to a wine that is clearly made with a light touch.”
94 points, Bob Campbell, The Real Review
“This is really something for the vintage, with sliced apricots, orange peel, dried flowers and flint. It’s medium-bodied with nutty and floral undertones to the flavorful finish of caramel apples. Hints of matchstick and smoke at the end.”
94 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
“Light straw with aromas of gooseberry, fleshy stone fruits and Meyer lemon with hints of grapefruit pith, crushed rock, wildflowers, alpine meadow, guava juice, goat curd and passionfruit cream. Some lightly crushed herbs way back in the distance on the palate, some nice textural slinkiness, porcelain acidity and a wicked 'sucking on a river pebble' savoury line. Woo wee, it's great complex drinking.” 94 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
94 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2023
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2023

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2023

The North Canterbury Chardonnay comes from two vineyards, principally Waipara Springs, where old-vine Mendoza Chardonnay grows on the Omihi clay soils. Hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, the juice was transferred to barrel without settling, before undergoing wild fermentation in French oak (28% new). The wine remained on lees without sulphur for 12 months before being racked to tank in April 2024 in preparation for a second winter on light lees. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a super classy, saline expression, rich with great old-vine density and tightened up by bright acidity.

"Genuinely old vines provided the fruit for the 2023 Chardonnay North Canterbury. Hailing from a frost-affected season, there's concentration here, yet it is open and approachable. It's intriguingly textured: initially succulent, with a gourmand sense of chew that lingers on the mouthwatering finish. Its cool-climate acidity provides lively brightness. Expect fruit flavors of lemon, honey, nectarine and lees-derived nutty pastry on this young but ready-to-drink Chardonnay."
90 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
"The 2023 North Canterbury Chardonnay leads with a creamy nose of crushed nuts, almond meal, white orchard fruits and custard apple. In the mouth, the wine is textural, powerful and full of flavor, with a creamy finish that trails out over the finish. This is a ripe wine defined by its lees complexity and construction. There's an open-weave aspect to this wine that is very appealing. It's floral too. It matured in French oak for 12 to 18 months prior to bottling without fining or filtration. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
92 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
"Youthful, varietal, waves of intensity showing ripe stone fruits then barrel spices, plenty of lees action then grapefruit, peach and red apple. Delicious on the palate with complex flavours and textures. Lemonade lemons and grapefruit, wild flowers and white soils peach and red apple flavours are framed polished tannins and a delicious saline and salivating acid line. Well made, lengthy and youthful. There’s some tautness as well an elegance inviting a glass pour immediately."
95 points, Cam Douglas, MS
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2023
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

Three Biogro certified vineyards go into this year's blend: the Good Family Vineyard on Georges Road, Waipara (Glasnevin gravels, 48%), the Course-Choi Vineyard (formerly Porters) on Mackenzies Road, Waipara (Domett Clay, east-facing slope, planted 2004, 45%), and Pyramid Valley's own Waikari Estate (clay/limestone, planted in 2000, 6%). Hand-picked throughout April.

Fully destemmed and fermented with wild yeasts in open-top fermenters, the wine spent 12 months in French oak (14% new), then five months in wooden cuves on light lees before bottling, unfined and unfiltered.

A cool, wet season punctuated by warm sunny stretches produced lush, healthy canopies, and careful viticulture delivered ripe, well-conditioned fruit. The result is bright ruby in colour, with savoury wild herb, forest floor, red fruit and floral aromas. Dense and chalky on the palate, with mocha and gamey, savoury notes, fine compact tannins and a juicy acid core giving tension and length. Age-worthy and a natural match for venison, duck, or roasted vegetables.

“The 2023 Pinot Noir North Canterbury is fruit-forward and light-bodied yet brooding and concentrated. The focused, athletic finish boasts both acidity and muscle, while the tannins contribute chalkiness. Chinese plum, festive spices and smoky notes linger.”
90 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
“An interesting wine. The nose is a little angular and unresolved to start but with a little time in the glass opens up. Quite a bit of tannin, fruit sits in the background. Structured and firm. Quite a definite, chewy style of wine. Though there is a nice core of fruit sweetness and good length so I suspect, it just needs time.”
93 points, Jane Skilton MW, Inside Burgundy
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2023

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